Darnell-Cookman Middle/High School
Chorus Program Syllabus and Handbook
Course Title:Chorus
Instructor’s Name:Jennifer Miller email: Phone: 904.630.6805 ext 1523
Darnell-Cookman Mission Statement:
To prepare students for collegiate success through a rigorous college preparatory curriculum integrated with professional medical standards emphasizing integrity, the pursuit of academic excellence, and a passion for life-long learning.
Campus and Honor Code:
Students at Darnell-Cookman Middle/High School, School of the Medical Arts students will be expected to uphold the standards of our school and place high value on intellectual rigor and academics.
- Honesty – When students practice honesty, the result is fairness for everyone.
- Respect – Respect is treating others as we would like to be treated. In an environment of respect, work we call our own, is our own.
- Responsibility – Responsibility is the quality of being accountable for our actions and accepting the consequences of our actions.
- Integrity – Integrity is a commitment to a value even when others are not present to witness it.
Enrollment at Darnell-Cookman Middle/High School requires a commitment to these principles. Students are expected to acknowledge fully and in detail the work, thought, or ideas of another person if incorporated in work submitted for assessment; to submit separate pieces of work in fulfillment of the requirements of different components (i.e. research papers); to ensure that the work is their own and is never given to another student in any version (hard copy or electronic) knowing that it might be submitted for grading as the work of another student.
In order to prevent a student from gaining an unfair advantage,these behaviors will result in the following:
1)Grade of zero – all students involved will earn a zero for the work and/or referral to Dean
2)Documentation- the incident will be recorded and a parent conference will be held
Introduction and Program Description:
My name is Jennifer Miller, and I am the Director of Choral Activities here at Darnell-Cookman Middle High School. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, and my Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance from Oklahoma City University in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This is my twelfth year teaching choral music in public schools, and I am thrilled to be part of such a highly regarded, nationally recognized magnet school. I am from Dallas, Texas, where I taught middle school choir for five years and high school choir for three. It is my professional goal that you see in your child a vast improvement of his/her vocal technique, breathing skills, posture, resonance, diction, music theory and history knowledge, and general artistry. It is my personal goal that your child becomes a confident, positive, self-sufficient young individual.
Daily Expectations:
1.Be on time
2. Be respectful
3. Work Hard
Classroom Rules:
1. Treat directors, teachers, chaperones, and each other with respect at all times and in all places.
2. Be on time and ready to work hard for all classes and functions including off campus events.
3. Refrain from loud talking and horseplay or rowdy behavior of any kind in class, rehearsal/performance area(s), or while in route to rehearsals/performances.
4. Follow all school policies while on campus and while representing Darnell-Cookman off campus.
5. Leave things alone that belong to others.
6. Properly care for any and all school property (music, equipment, etcetera).
7. Keep the choir room clean and neat.
8. Refrain from eating, chewing gum, or drinking anything other than plain, clear water in a clear bottle with a lid in the choir room.
9. Purses and backpacks are not permitted on the risers.
10. Cell phones and all electronic devices are to remain off and in a purse or a backpack.
11. Follow any other rules set forth by the director and administrators.
Educational Materials Needed for Course:
*One thin plastic folder (the paper kind become ripped vey quickly) with pockets and brads in which to keep music and materials.
*Onecomposition notebook for note-taking.
*Plain pencils (not colored) with an eraser for marking music (music may not be marked in pen), taking notes, and written work. If pen is used, it must be blue or black ink only, and should be eraseable, as“scratch outs” and messy work will not be accepted.
Donated Needs for the Classroom:
1 box of kleenex, 1 bottle of handsanitzer, and/or 1 container of disinfecting wipes would be greatly appreciated if possible. These items will help keep our students stay comfortable and healthy.
Program Organization:
The organization of the program is listed below. Sixth-grade boys and girls are combined in choirs together, while intermediate/advanced (seventh and eighth grade boys and girls) are separated by gender. This is done in order to address physiological vocal changes that occur with boys of middle school age. Most in sixth grade can still match quite well with their female peers (unchanged treble voices) and those who are already experiencing a shift will be taught to explore and “bring down” their upper ranges (head voce or falsetto). Doing so helps them comfortably navigate the “breaks” and “cracks” they may be feeling while both speaking and singing. Pedagogical research proves that dedicated, specified attention to each gender at this unique stage in life vastly improves the vocal health and growth of each child. We will always do what is best for the children!
Beginning Girls and Boys – 6th graders – three classes
Intermediate/Advanved Girls – 7th& 8th grade – one class
Intermediate/Advanved Boys – 7th& 8th grade – one class
High School Girls and Boys – 9th-12th grade – one class
Grading Policy:
*In-class participation, written work, classroom activities – 60%
This includes, but is not limited to exhibiting proper posture, making a respectful, sincere effort in regards to singing, using hand-signs during solfege and sight-reading lessons and activities, completing all notes and written work, writing in music when instructed, etcetera.
*Tests, quizzes, assessments – 40%
This includes but is not limited to written assessments as well as required school concerts and other performances.
*I do not grade students based on how “pretty” his/her voice may be. I will also never require your child to sing alone. There will be opportunities to audition for solos, but that will always be optional.Students who are careful to show up, work hard, and follow directions with respect and sincerity will find that their grades will be high. Failure to do any of these things will result in lowered grades.
Homework/Late Work Policy:It will be rare that students receive actual homework for chorus. If this does occur, for each class day an assignment is late, 10 points will be removed with a maximum opportunity of 3 class days: this would be a highest possible grade of 70. Beyond these three class days, the work will not be accepted.Written work assigned and completed in class will not be accepted late. Students present in class for these assignments are expected to be on task, no exceptions.
Make-up Work Policy:
Regular attendance in each forty-five day grading period is necessary for a student to be successful in school. Missing work shall be made-up for all absences, including suspension. Make-up work shall be allowed for each day of absence. Your child may earn up to full credit for such work submitted with acceptable time frame outlined within DCPS Student Progression Plan.
Parent/Teacher Conference Information:
If you have a question about your son’s/daughter’s grade, please check the Grade Portal to see if the teacher has left any notes about specific assignments. If you still have questions, feel free to email the teacher directly. If you have more general questions about your son’s/daughter’s overall academic progress, you can contact their school counselor or you can call Ms. Bennett at extension 1030 in the School Counseling Office to schedule an appointment for a parent/teacher conference. Please remember that parent/teacher conferences are only available on a limited basis and may not include all of your child’s teachers. Please be specific when scheduling a conference to just those teachers that you need to meet face-to-face.
Tutoring Schedule:
provided on an as-needed, case-by-case basis
Concerts, rehearsals and performances
The DC Viking Chorus program is performance-based. Singing will be our primary focus, in preparation for performances of all kinds.
*If there is a conflict with a required concert or rehearsal date, the parent must call the choir office and speak to Ms. Miller about the reason for the conflict a minimum of three weeks prior to the scheduled required event.Failure to do so may result in the conflict not being excused.
* If a student develops a pattern of missing required events, regardless of the reason, the student will risk losing field trip and special event privileges.
*Concerts and Performances will teach your child confidence, self-assurance, and an “I didn’t know I could do that” belief system, all within the safety of being surrounded by many peers… and YOUR support and encouragement!
*Students will be taught and expected to behave professionally on stage, and will be taught and expected to behave professionally as audience members, watching their peers perform and encouraging one another in a dignified way. Behavior at concerts both on and off stage will be a major portion of their concert grade. At the discretion of the director, misbehavior during any performance (on campus or off) will result in a lowered grade and/or disciplinary action. Remember… we must learn to represent our school well… Behavior is #1.
*Students will be expected to come to concerts dressed as designated by the director.
*Tickets for the school winter and spring concerts will be $3.00
Chorus Fee and fundraisers
There will be a $25 fee for all students enrolled in the program. This fee helps to cover items including, but not limited toaccompanist costs, music, contest and field trips we might attend if possible, equipment and equipment repair, and many other expenses incurred by an active program. One major fundraiser will take place in September to help raise these funds.
Volunteering and Chaperones
Parent chaperones and volunteers will be needed forcertain activities throughout the year. All volunteers and chaperones must be cleared in advance of the activity for which they are volunteering. Please fill out the volunteer information on line (found on the district website under ‘Parents’) as soon as possible if you know you will be interested in helping in any capacity this year (even just on campus).
DC VIKING CHORAL ACTIVITIES FOR 2017-2018
Please note – there may be additions (extra rehearsals!), cancellations or changes throughout the year. In any of these events, students and families will be notified immediately. As each event approaches, detailed flyers will be sent home. Take note! O=Optional, R= Required
DATEEVENT (required/optional)SITE
August 29thAll state materials DUE (O)turned in to Miller, including fee
Mid SeptemberFundraiser KickoffChorus room during class
September 16All State musicianship exam/sight-reading LaVilla MS: 9:00 am
September 22Duval County Honor Choir materials due(O)turned in to Miller, including fee
October 14All State Vocal AuditionsLaVilla MS: 9:00 am HS, 12:30 pm MS
November 8Fall Choral Festival (group TBD R)Mandarin HS, time TBD
December (date TBD)Winter Concert (all R)Darnell Cookman Café Stage
January 11-13All-State Clinic and ConventionTampa, FL
February 2-3District MS/HS Honor ChoirAtlantic Coast HS
March 9-10High School MPA ContestMandarin HS
April 7Middle School MPA Contest (R)St. John’s Country Day School
April 16-17State HS Choral MPA First Presbyterian Church, Tallahassee FL
May date TBDSpring Concert (R)Darnell Cookman Café Stage
*Certain events are run by the Florida Vocal Association and the Florida Music Educators Association. All details are sent out to directors by those organizations. This means as soon as I have these details, I will send them out. I hope to have many students excited about these amazing opportunities. Please remember, behavior is number one – students who exhibit consistent negative behaviors will lose performance and activity privileges, both on and off campus. School Concerts will be scheduled by mid-September, and details will be sent home at that time. When you receive those dates, please put them on your family calendar, and remember that they are test grades for your child.
*Certain activities chosen by individual students, like All-State or Duval Honor Chorus, will require extra rehearsals, fees, performances and travel. Information about those activities will be sent home should your child choose to participate.
My door is always open should you ever have any questions or concerns. Please do not hesitate to reach out through phone or email. Know that I will not answer phone calls during school hours, but do leave a message, and I will return your call within 24-48 hours.
I look forward to a wonderful year together!
Ms. Miller